This is a high octane Euro-thriller set primarily in Switzerland with ex-cop action hero, Tom Winter, the Head of Security for a private Swiss bank. It begins with a helicopter crash in Hollentobel, on board is an important bank client, Muhammed Al-Badar, Anne, part of the bank security team and the pilot, all are dead. Tom is shattered when he learns of the crash, he had been in a personal relationship with Anne and he feels it owes to her to learn precisely what happened. It soon becomes clear that a military explosive set off the fire that led to the crash. Al-Badar's destination was a remote meeting place with executives from Orafin, a company leading the efforts to build Egypt's first nuclear power station to meet the demand for energy there. Winter goes to Egypt, only to witness the killing of Kaddour, the CEO of Orafin. Winter follows the trail to Bergen in Norway, where Al-Badar had been attending a conference, and Boston, in the US, getting acquainted with Professor Farmer, who heads the Pyramid Investment Partners, whose clients include a number of wealthy Middle Eastern investors, including Al-Badar, financing a number of US projects.

Winter, along with new personal interest, Fatima, the new CEO of Orafin, find themselves entangled with the US security services who suspect Al-Badar of funding terrorist groups and are keeping a close eye on Pyramid Investment Partners. Winter finds himself in numerous hairy situations where his life is in danger. As he follows the evidence, he begins to wonder if there is a mole within the bank itself. Fatima finds herself a target, like her predecessor before her, and there are a number of individuals who have entered Switzerland from the US who belong to a far right nationalist group, showing interest in Winter and the bank. Many of the action sequences take place in the beautiful Swiss landscape of mountains, rivers and lakes. As Winter gets closer to the truth, he becomes aware of a devastating plot designed to unsettle global financial markets and leave many dead in its wake.

Peter Beck has written a solid, fast paced, action thriller that is well plotted and raises tension and suspense, set in the traditional banking industry that Switzerland is famous for. Perhaps the greatest weakness is Beck's characterisation, although that might just be my expectation to want characters that I can emotionally invest in more. Tom Winter is a likeable enough central protagonist, willing to do whatever it takes to find out who killed Anne, only to find there are powerful and ruthless forces willing to kill whoever gets in their way. Beck's descriptions of Switzerland's magnificent landscape was a particular highlight for me. An entertaining and absorbing action packed read which I enjoyed. Many thanks to Oneworld Publications for an ARC.

Frankly brilliant. If you're into globe-trotting action, crime and espionage, then get on it – because this is the real deal.